Scott Stewart (footballer)

Stewart was born in Edinburgh but raised in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire where he attended Stonelaw High School.[2][3] His father Sandy was a footballer who spent the majority of his career with the original Airdrieonians club and also served as player and manager at its successor Airdrie United,[2] where Scott began his career in the youth setup.[3]

At the age of 17, Stewart received his first call-up to the senior squad at the club (now renamed Airdrieonians) in August 2013,[1] making his senior debut two months later in a 2–0 home defeat to Forfar Athletic in Scottish League One, with his first start in the competition against Stranraer in March 2014.[3] He initially began his career as a midfielder but retrained as a full-back, which he stated drew more scrutiny on his performances from his father, who had played the same position.[4] After three seasons as a squad member, he became a regular starter for the Diamonds in the 2016–17 campaign, going on to make over 100 appearances over the next three years,[1][5] including a promotion playoff semi-final defeat to Alloa Athletic on penalties in 2017[6] (the closest Airdrie came to either being promoted or relegated in his time with the club) and a Scottish Cup visit to holders Celtic in 2019.[7]

He was voted the Airdrieonians 'Young Player of the Year' for 2016–17[8] and the overall 'Player of the Year' for 2017–18,[8] having been named team captain in the latter part of that season[9] and agreed a new contract to stay at the club.[10]

In June 2019, Stewart transferred to Arbroath, newly promoted to the Scottish Championship.[11] He made his debut for the club on 23 July 2019, in a 3–0 defeat away to Hibernian in the group stage of the 2019–20 Scottish League Cup.[12] He was an important member of the Red Lichties team in their bid for promotion to the Scottish Premiership in the 2021–22 season, while also working as a P.E. teacher at Rutherglen's Trinity High School.[13][14]